The Gearbox Software Website has details on the Mechromancer DLC that's due on October 16th for Borderlands 2, their role-playing shooter sequel that's due for release in a couple of weeks. This includes word that the Mechromancer's name is Gaige, an image of her Mechromancing that notes the pack is a free bonus for preorders, and word on the price of the DLC for those who fail to take advantage of the preorder bonus, saying the add-on can also be purchased for $9.99/800 MS Points.

That's ok, I went and checked, to make sure they didn't pull it. While I've gotten most of the preorder items when I order through GMG (TF2 hats excluded), I'm always paranoid that for the cheap price, you're getting the basic game, and nothing else.

Prez wrote on Sep 12, 2012, 16:08:I pre-orderded the game from GMG to take advantage of the $35 promote (not bad for a $60 game I'm all but guaranteed to play for a hundred hours as I did with the original). Does that qualify for the free Mecho- dude? There's no mention made of it on GMG's store page for BL2.

I pre-orderded the game from GMG to take advantage of the $35 promote (not bad for a $60 game I'm all but guaranteed to play for a hundred hours as I did with the original). Does that qualify for the free Mecho- dude? There's no mention made of it on GMG's store page for BL2.

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UttiniDaKilrJawa wrote on Sep 12, 2012, 00:33:My biggest problem with this particular piece of DLC is the fact that its not actually Day 1.

I wanted to play this char IMMEDITATELY!!!!

le sigh.

Assuming you haven't already, it'll be a great excuse to start another character. I'll be checking it out as soon as it drops.

We'll need one for every friend we have, from the sound of it. I believe it still has the issue that co-op games are set at the level of whoever starts it, so if a level 20 joins a level 10 he'll one shot kill everything.

finga wrote on Sep 11, 2012, 13:45:You know, it's not a problem on PC, but Gearbox might have a tough time on Xbox 360 with this DLC. As you probably know, Microsoft doesn't allow the user to download DLC content they don't own, even if it's content that's visual-only - to properly display players that DO own it. Additionally, title updates are not allowed to add significant amounts of game data. So what happens when a player using the Mechromancer joins the game of someone who doesn't own the DLC?

Are they going to have to separate players that do own DLC from those who do not? What happens when you want to join your friends and they don't have it? Sorry sir, they need to buy a thing just so they can properly see a couple of models (Gaige and Deathtrap) and skins?

Unless the Mechromancer textures and models are already on the disc (and it's the gameplay tweaking and skill point adjustments they've been working on the last few weeks)... but people will still likely complain about on-disc DLC, even if there's just no other real way to do it.

I think the textures and models are likely already included in the game files. And people who don't understand game development will freak out.

Mechromancer is almost definitely on the disc and therefore will be part of everyone's game.

It's not true DLC, it's day one DLC made to generate revenues from people buying used. Sure, you can buy used, but you need to pay the dev an additional $10 to get the full version you would have had if you bought new.

I doubt it's on the disc. This is not a Day 1 DLC; they stated that they haven't finished the character yet, and that they started working on it after the main game was finished. The game has gone gold roughly a month ago. Considering a few weeks of certification phase, the product was complete even before that.

I remember reading an interview article a few weeks ago saying they were still undecided what to make of this character class. Heck, there weren't even the the character model until recently. (just a rough sketch)

If it were a Day 1 DLC, they could have provided the more detailed information with at least the character model at the first announcement. That way they could have attracted more people for their pre-order deal.

Sempai wrote on Sep 11, 2012, 21:19:What about those of us who purchased a new nvidia card(gtx680)and received a copy with our purchase?

Will this be eligible as a pre-order or will we be forced to purchase this day one dlc?

No idea, but if I had gotten the game for free, I wouldn't be too worried about it anyway.

I'm not "worried" about it, however i just dropped 5 bills on a new card that gave me a code for the game free, it would be nice if it was treated as a pre-order by the publisher since the point of the promotion is to get customers to bite on new hardware now, which is why i did just that.As a hardcore PC gamer i'll probably end up popping for their season pass($30 bucks)for Borderlands planned dlc's, this along with this silly Mechromancer dlc will end up costing me $40 bucks anyway.Either way it seems they'll get more money out of me.

Because the code to unlock it is included in the box with all preorders and, most likely, all initial shipments, and also likely, all shipments ever.

If that is the case, code comes with all copies ever, I will withdraw my complaint about the whole issue. I suppose it could be clever marketing to simply not discuss that someone can still get the extra content buying the game a week later.

Well, let's wait and see. I'd put my money where my mouth is for retail, but most PC will be digital, and I don't fully trust Gearbox not to monkey with digital.

But usually tactics like this aren't to push preorders (though they love doing that) but to push new vs used.

Because the code to unlock it is included in the box with all preorders and, most likely, all initial shipments, and also likely, all shipments ever.

If that is the case, code comes with all copies ever, I will withdraw my complaint about the whole issue. I suppose it could be clever marketing to simply not discuss that someone can still get the extra content buying the game a week later.

Included is a funny word to use. I didn't receive it when I pre-ordered, I won't receive it when the game is delivered but I should get it without paying additional funds when it's released. (about 5 weeks from now)

I think you're missing my point. The way they are advertising this seems to suggest that it's sitting there on the shelf ready to go. (and I believe it is) It's clearly holding content back from people who don't pre-order and I just find the whole thing disappointing.

This isn't unique to them but it's altogether disturbing that we're at a point where publishers can literally hold content hostage if you don't pre-order. For $40 and because it's borderlands 2 and because the advertising and footage shown so far has been spot on for what I'd want, I pre-ordered. But I can think of no other game that this whole dog and pony show would work on me....hmmm maybe prey 2. Assuming the above were true about Prey 2 I might go along with the whole pre-order or you get screwed approach.

Generally speaking this tactic is like a hammer and nail to my wallet. I have a tough time believing that this isn't going to cause significant harm to gross sales of the industry. If this was a $60 item I'd be happily sitting on the sideline waiting for a sale or for a used purchase at the right price.

It's not just a preorder bonus, it's a day 1 bonus.

While it's true they're trying to get people to preorder, I would bet you a large sum it's in every single new copy of this game between now and GOTY. Possible difference for digital copies, but I doubt it. If it is, it's only because digital copies go on sale so quickly, but that seems irrelevant and worth being angry at them about.